Only three-letter element

Latest answer — August 26, 2026

1 Across

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Clue explained

TIN is the only chemical element whose English name has three letters. The answer is the element’s standard name, not its chemical symbol.

Clue type:
Definition
A sample of silvery tin metal

NYT Mini Crossword

This clue's Wednesday, August 26, 2026 appearance

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Across

  1. 1Only three-letter element
  2. 4Hole food
  3. 6Section at the end of a song
  4. 7Emblem topping a coat of arms
  5. 8Only three-letter zodiac sign

Down

  1. 1Visit, as a college
  2. 2Something gathered by a spy
  3. 3Sip slowly
  4. 4Only three-letter Disney dwarf
  5. 5Big name in high-end toilets

Crossword clues, hints, and answers

Across

  1. 1. Only three-letter element — Answer: TIN. Hint: This useful metal is often associated with cans and solder. 🔩
  2. 4. Hole food — Answer: DONUT. Hint: A ring-shaped pastry makes this pun delicious. 🍩
  3. 6. Section at the end of a song — Answer: OUTRO. Hint: The closing passage brings the music to a finish. 🎵
  4. 7. Emblem topping a coat of arms — Answer: CREST. Hint: This heraldic symbol sits proudly above the shield. 🛡️
  5. 8. Only three-letter zodiac sign — Answer: LEO. Hint: This lion-associated sign is the zodiac’s shortest by name. ♌

Down

  1. 1. Visit, as a college — Answer: TOUR. Hint: Explore a campus before deciding where to apply. 🎓
  2. 2. Something gathered by a spy — Answer: INTEL. Hint: Secret information is a spy’s prized collection. 🕵️
  3. 3. Sip slowly — Answer: NURSE. Hint: Enjoy a drink in small, leisurely sips. ☕
  4. 4. Only three-letter Disney dwarf — Answer: DOC. Hint: This dwarf is known for being especially knowledgeable. 📚
  5. 5. Big name in high-end toilets — Answer: TOTO. Hint: This brand is famous for luxurious bathroom fixtures. 🚽

The answer to “Only three-letter element” in the New York Times Mini crossword is TIN — a 3-letter word. It most recently appeared in the New York Times Mini crossword on August 26, 2026 at 1-Across. Below you'll find why that fill fits, every other answer we've recorded for this clue, and links into the puzzle it came from.

“Only three-letter element” answer

TIN (3 letters)

Use the reveal tiles above to uncover the solution one letter at a time if you'd rather nudge yourself toward it than see the whole word at once. Prefer the full answer straight away? It's TIN.

What does TIN mean?

Reading the plain dictionary sense of TIN is often the fastest way to see why it answers this clue.

(noun)

  • a silvery-white metal, the chemical element of atomic number 50
  • an airtight container made of tinplate or aluminium

When else has “Only three-letter element” appeared?

New York Times Mini reuses clues across dates, sometimes with a different answer depending on the grid. Here's where this exact clue has shown up, and what the answer was each time — handy when you're checking whether today's fill is the only one.

August 26, 2026 (most recent) → TIN. We haven't indexed another appearance of this exact clue yet.

Frequently asked questions

What is the answer to “Only three-letter element”?

The answer is TIN, a 3-letter word. It most recently appeared in the New York Times Mini crossword on August 26, 2026.

How many letters is the answer to “Only three-letter element”?

3 letters: TIN.

When did this clue appear?

Most recently in the New York Times Mini crossword on August 26, 2026, at 1-Across.

Can “Only three-letter element” have a different answer?

Yes — New York Times Mini sometimes reuses a clue with a different solution to fit the grid. The answers we've recorded for each date it appeared are listed above when available.

Where can I find the rest of today's NYT Mini answers?

Every clue and answer from that day's puzzle is linked above, and the full grid is on the NYT Mini answers page.

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